#24 - #FreeSpeechMatters, PUTIN, FAMILY LEAVE

#FreeSpeechMatters
If you don't know what came down at Wesleyan University, look it up. Simply stated, a student wrote a respectful, thoughtful, but politically conservative op-ed in the student newspaper of a notoriously liberal institution. All hell broke loose. He's been castigated for voicing an opinion that differed from the norm, made a pariah.

He hurt peoples' feelings.

We are learning that we have raised a generation of easily bruised youth, protected in their homes and their schools from uncomfortable thoughts and speech. A generation that grew up being praised for simply playing the game rather than for winning. A generation that is having a difficult time in a world that has demands, that punishes failure, that is full of folks in authority who don't give a damn about hurt feelings.
Look up what happened at Wesleyan. Decide who was in the right. Discuss among yourselves.

PUTIN"My son is 22 years old. If he had not become a Communist at 22, I
would have disowned him. If he is still a Communist at 30, I will do it
then."

The above quote is generally attributed to Georges Clemenceau upon being 'confronted' with the accusation that his son was a Communist. Whoever the originator, the meaning is clear. In youth, we seek the different, the exotic, the ideal. Age brings wisdom.

There was a time when it was
fashionable for American intellectuals to flirt with Soviet-style Communism, a time
when the Brits were having trouble keeping their secrets secret because
of their intelligentsia's fascination with the East. That dalliance ended for
my generation a while back. But Russia has a new pinup boy in Vladimir
Putin. My young Progressive friends from around the world are fascinated
with the guy.

Folks my age just roll our eyes. Clearly, history teaches us nothing. FAMILY LEAVE
Congress is scheduled to be in session all of 132 days this year.

Paul Ryan will only accept election as Speaker of the House if he can spend time with his family.

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The Southern Woman That I Married is a skilled, multi-ethnic cook and I learned to eat at an early age. We've traveled the lower 48, Mexico and the Caribbean, but when we visited Europe, we fell in love with the south of France. So we first bought a holiday house that we visited once or twice a year, rented out when we could, and then sold in order to put our equity into a more suitable house for our permanent retirement. We found that house in the spring of 2013 in the little village of Quarante.
I relish the opportunity to provide my uncensored insights on cooking, on France, on motor scooter mechanics, politics and religion, and whatever else comes to mind.
My insights are free and worth every penny. Enjoy.